Botanical Gardens and Falling in the Lake

Today we went to some very pretty botanical gardens.


Luke had a fabulous time throwing rocks off the bridge

and playing on tree stumps with his very pregnant mommy.


Luke also thoroughly enjoyed throwing rocks into the lake, until 1 very enthusiatic and close-to-the-edge throw landed him in the water. I wasn't quick enough to capture a good post-fall picture since Patrick had Luke out of the water and out of his wet clothes in about 12 seconds. Luke recovered as soon as his wet clothes were off and then he happily continued throwing rocks and exploring the scenery in his diaper and crocs since we didn't have a change of clothes for him.



Feeding the fish.


Playing soccer in the gazebo, which was followed by Luke kicking his soccer ball along the trail next to the lake until it took a wrong turn and rolled down, down the hill and splash! into the same lake Luke had just been swimming in half an hour earlier.


Again, I was a bit too distracted to capture any action shots, but the lack of socks and shoes on Patrick is a good indication of what came next ... Daddy to the rescue as Luke's ball was quickly making it's way off shore. Just as the ball was retrieved, we heard some commotion behind us and turned to see our stroller kareening down the same hill and towards the lake. It was really picking up speed, but amazingly hit a little bush and stopped about 2 feet from the edge of the water ... surely to the disappointment of the couple and their toddler that were observing from a little bit further away on the trail and anyone else who happened to catch our ridiculous display!


We decided to quit before any more of our belongings or family members ended up in the lake. Luke, in his mostly-dry firetruck shirt, found a fire hydrant to play on outside of the gardens.